Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with France's air force in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syria used by the Daesh militant organization, according to the UK's MoD.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be housing weapons and explosive materials, the statement said, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the historic site of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft utilized laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to strike a number of entry passages down to the depot... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the attack on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned to base without incident, the defence officials confirmed.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - alternatively referred to as the so-called Islamic State - imposed jihadist rule over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This strike underscores our UK leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of the terrorist group and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," Britain's Defence Chief the Defence Secretary said.
RAF aircraft have conducted overwatch operations over Syria to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this mission for their skill and their valour," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among numerous UK service members on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate terrorist threats who endanger our security, shows how our armed forces are prepared to act, continuously, protecting the UK domestically and influential overseas."
During December, the American forces executed what it described as a "massive strike" targeting Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN estimates Daesh still maintains an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
